Chapter 6

Zhao Lin sighed helplessly.

He knew his wife didn't believe him; after all, back then he had hired Lin Shaoze, the captain of the criminal police brigade, who also found no clue, and his wife had long held no hope for this matter.

Now things have suddenly taken a turn for the better, and it's just a little girl; it's not her fault—if Zhao Lin hadn't personally experienced the earlier jewel theft case, he wouldn't believe it either.

He kept nagging him over and over, telling him not to say anything offensive.

His wife looked at him as if he were an idiot: "What do you think I am? I'm just worried you'll get scammed, you big blockhead!"

To outsiders, President Zhao was the epitome of smoothness, but in her mouth he became a big blockhead.

Zhao Lin muttered resentfully, yet a smile appeared on his face; he understood his wife's meaning—she had it figured out.

Now we must mention Zhao Lin's wife: she is the eldest daughter of the Longxiang Group; marrying him, a penniless nobody, was a downgrade for her—otherwise, any other branch manager whose underlings had this happen would have been fired long ago.

But his promotion to branch manager wasn't purely due to nepotism; it was mostly his own ability. Longxiang Group has branches nationwide, yet only his store outperforms the others in profit, with outstanding performance, so he often receives praise from the old boss.

So this time he's unlucky, and quite a few people are secretly delighted.

Zhao Lin took his wife's hand: "Don't worry; if I get scammed, I'll buy you a jade bracelet—you love those, don't you?"

His wife gave him an annoyed look, then suddenly realized: "Oh, you dare to hide private money from me?!"

Just saying that would be a jade bracelet worth over a million—how could you afford it without private savings?

At eight in the morning, given Jing Shi's traffic conditions, only office workers and elderly people doing morning exercises are up—let alone customers of their jewelry store.

Xiao Li stifled a yawn; it wasn't time yet, she rubbed her sleepy eyes and leaned toward the counter, when suddenly her lower back ached—before she could question a coworker, she saw her frantically waving at her.

General—General Manager!

Xiao Li's sleepiness vanished from fright; fortunately Zhao Lin's mind was full of the store's treasure, so he didn't notice.

Looking at the empty store, Zhao Lin sighed; it was all because of these things. The next moment he composed himself, had someone prepare good tea, then suddenly stopped and asked Xiao Li: "What do girls your age like to eat and drink?"

At eight-thirty, Ling Yue got off the bus, people were scarce, her spirit felt scattered. Above her head, the circling crow said disdainfully: "Huh, what a strong smell!"

Ling Yue nodded in agreement, not knowing who had eaten the chive buns; in the cramped space the smell had fermented to rival a bomb. She now had 500,000—why not buy a car first? It would make everything easier later.

As for the rest of the money, Ling Yue had already planned to open a pet store, refusing to waste her talent.

Of course, the most urgent thing now is to deliver the item.

Who would have thought that jewelry worth eight million US dollars would be so lightly carried in her hand?

The Longxiang jewelry store is located in the city center, surrounded by various luxury boutiques; the shop covers over a hundred square meters. Because it displays its treasure year-round, and with its high looks and endorsement by historical figures, it has become a popular check‑in spot for many internet celebrities.

The locals are used to it.

When Ling Yue entered, the staff thought she was an internet celebrity coming for a check‑in, after all, just that face is stunningly beautiful. She's a bit unconventional, even having a bird perched on her shoulder—really?

The crow gazed dreamily at the sparkling wares inside, then suddenly sensed the other's gaze and turned its head.

"It, it's alive!"

Ling Yue had anticipated this scene: "This is my pet."

As soon as she reached out her finger, the crow nuzzled it obediently, looking utterly well‑behaved.

Who would have thought someone keeps a crow as a pet? The staff's eyes widened, and they were about to attend to her.

Ling Yue placed the hand‑carried bag on the counter and asked directly: "Is Manager Zhao in?"

The staff member blinked: "Manager Zhao?"

Ling Yue didn't want to say more: "Zhao Lin, I have an appointment with him."

No sooner had she spoken than a male voice rang out from inside, full of malice: "Ling Yue?"

Ling Yue looked over; a tall, sunny‑looking man who could barely be called handsome stared at her. When he realized it was really her, he smiled and said: "Oh, it really is you. I heard you haven't been doing well lately—after all, as a girl you've ended up working at a zoo. I remember you used to be first in our major."

His tone was snide, full of veiled meaning.

No matter, Ling Yue was even more snide. She furrowed her brows, as if puzzled, and said: "Who are you—? Sorry, with hundreds of students in our major, I really can't recall."

The man's face twisted with anger: "I'm Qin Junxin!"

To make matters worse, he had just spent ages trying to get her to remember who he was, feeling embarrassed and humiliated with everyone watching; Qin Junxin grew increasingly annoyed.

Ling Yue had already looked away; giving this type of person even a glance is harmful to her eyes.

How could she not remember him? He's the culprit who made her like this—a narrow‑minded, disgusting man!

Perhaps she didn't care at first, but after such an incident how could she not be angry? Ling Yue had already memorized his face from her friend Qiao Qiao, and likewise that little princess of the privileged class. Bad people know no gender.

As for the crow, it had been staring in awe at the glittering jewelry all around, but when it turned its head and saw a foul man glaring at its friend, it snarled: "He dares to bully Yue Yue—I'll poop on him! Let him have it rain down on his head!"

Ling Yue almost couldn't hold back her laughter.

Qin Junxin, however, had no intention of letting it go. He once pursued a goddess like a lovesick dog, but now she's become like this. After dating his girlfriend, he's dressed head‑to‑toe in designer clothes she bought him, his eye for fashion has sharpened, and at a glance he can tell Ling Yue's outfit is all street‑market gear—yet she's naturally beautiful, and even plain clothes tailored well can look haute couture.

It's as if she's still the lofty campus goddess she used to be.

They've both left school, yet she's still putting on airs!

The man's eyes flickered with a hint of malice; his leering gaze made Ling Yue disgusted, and then he said: "Ling Yue, what are you planning to buy? Though I heard your zoo job pays less than three thousand, if you can't afford it I could give you one—however…"

As he spoke he leaned in, as if casually pointing to a silver bracelet under five thousand: "Bring it out, it looks not bad."

The staff member could hardly keep from rolling her eyes; this big brother had been there for over twenty minutes, having browsed the whole store, sticking only to the mid‑low end counters, not daring to even glance at the others.

The reason she dares say that is that, although she doesn't know how many customers she's served, Qin Junxin's attempts to hide it are obvious to her—not that he lacks money, but that he's stingy to the core.

And yet, he won't even fork out five thousand for someone he's pursuing—such a goddess!

If she had that young lady's looks, she wouldn't even bother responding to those few lines of his.

Ling Yue was also amused by his performance; she lightly dodged him and turned to the staff: "Is Manager Zhao out yet?"

"What Manager Zhao?" the shameless Qin Junxin flared up instantly upon hearing this: "What's your connection to that Manager Zhao? I've figured it out—are you and he――

Ling Yue had never seen someone like this; giving him face made her itch to act!

She looks fragile, but she's practiced martial arts since childhood; her mother never told her the name, only saying it was passed down from her father's side. As she grew up she became ever more beautiful, and in high school she was once cornered by a gang of thugs in an alley, single‑handedly taking on five and escaping.

"Miss Ling Yue, I'm late." Zhao Lin came running out, the short distance leaving him drenched in sweat; he regretted it deeply—how could he not have waited outside, letting this happen and leaving no time to intervene.

His humble attitude only made Qin Junxin suspect more, his face turning dark as if he'd been cuckolded, and he demanded: "What's your relationship?"

Manager Zhao seemed to have just noticed him: "Xiao Li, take care of this guest."

Qin Junxin had previously been treated with deference while shopping at luxury stores with his girlfriend, feeling superior, but now even a lousy manager dares to ignore him!

"What Xiao Li, come over, I want to buy bracelets—this one, this one… and also this one—give me a thorough introduction of each."

Qin Junxin pointed at a pile of bracelets, took out his VIP card, clearly intending to make things difficult: "Is this card qualified enough?" His girlfriend is a VIP customer of the store—do these people dare to offend him?

Manager Zhao had never heard such a weird way of summoning someone—did he think this place was a club? He held back his laughter; what qualifications does a kept pretty boy have to insult Miss Ling?

They, Longxiang, and the people behind the other side have no overlapping fields, are of similar scale, even somewhat larger than the other side; Zhao Lin isn't the least bit afraid and made a phone call.

Not long after, Qin Junxin's phone rang.

His girlfriend unleashed a torrent of abuse: "You damn idiot, how dare you? You're a real talent—why don't you have the chairman of Longxiang Group introduce you, and get lost back here!"

Qin Junxin couldn't believe it—his usually gentle, ever-obedient girlfriend was now furious like a fire-breathing dragon. He instinctively wanted to retort, then realized, his face paling as he explained: "Wanwan, I'm not—I just wanted to buy you a gift; you liked that diamond necklace before, didn't you?"

He said this while his heart bled; he had earned a few hundred thousand by selling his looks, and now he'd sunk most of it at once.

"After you buy it, get lost back here!"

The other party hung up directly, leaving Qin Junxin embarrassed and losing face.

Turning his head, he saw that the previously arrogant Manager Zhao was now extremely deferential to Ling Yue, with a makeshift table set up bearing various milk teas and desserts, the packaging exquisite—one could tell they were valuable at a glance.

Zhao Lin said: "It's so early, Miss Ling, haven't you had breakfast yet? I've ordered breakfast; please eat first, then we'll talk."

Ling Yue hadn't even spoken when the greatly stimulated Qin Junxin felt his chest churn with rage, wanting to see what abilities this impoverished Ling Yue possessed.

What abilities?

When Ling Yue opened the box, revealing the cleaned butterfly-knot diamond necklace inside, everyone was deeply stunned by its brilliant, dazzling light.

"This, this isn't our store's treasure!" Xiao Li gasped, covering her mouth, staring in shock at the scene.

Zhao Lin had already been unable to look away, murmuring: "It's it, the butterfly-knot diamond necklace."

Mrs. Zhao standing beside him also relaxed; having found it, Ling Yue no longer elicited any contempt from her—instead, she felt genuine gratitude from the heart.

Qin Junxin blinked in surprise: "What store treasure? Definitely fake! How could a poor person like you have jewelry? Did you steal it?"

"Young man, speak with evidence!" Zhao Lin flared with anger: "This Miss Ling is my benefactor; the item in her hand is precisely the store's treasure lost by our Longxiang—the butterfly-knot diamond necklace of Empress Catherine II."

He opened the inlaid base, and before everyone's eyes a row of elaborate, hand-carved Russian engravings appeared: "This is the hallmark of the most renowned snow-country jewelry designer of the last century; it could hardly be fake."

"Security!" Without waiting for her husband to speak, Mrs. Zhao said coldly: "Throw him out; our Longxiang Jewelry doesn't welcome customers like this."

Several burly guards, in full view of everyone, literally lifted him up and tossed him like trash in front of the door; many livestreaming netizens were startled, then excited: "Wow, brothers, looks like there's melon to eat!"

Qin Junxin's face flushed with anger as he looked inside; the wealthy lady was conversing with Ling Yue, her attitude toward Ling Yue being the complete opposite of the kindness she showed him.

He furiously shouted: "Lowlifes! A bunch of low――"

His voice cut off abruptly.

A crow circled above his head, the tail feathers on its rump trembling slightly, then it let out a harsh "caw," and a lump of bird droppings landed squarely in his mouth.

The onlookers felt sick to their stomachs: "Eh~ how disgusting this guy is!"

"Huh? What's that, looks like it's flying over? Dark clouds?"

"Holy shit, everyone make way, it's an air raid!"

The crowd scattered in a clamor, the disgusted Qin Junxin still puzzled; not far off, a mass of "black cloud" drifted swiftly closer, and upon closer look it turned out to be a flock of crows—so many that they gathered like a floating dark cloud in midair.

The crow girls directed, shouting: "Everyone get ready, attack!"

"Received, every bullet will hit its mark!"

"Air raid begins, fire!"

Everyone watched this scene, truly an eye-opener.

This flock of crows, organized and disciplined, formed a encirclement, ensuring every dropping landed on the man until he couldn't take it and ran off; someone checked the spot where Qin Junxin had originally stood and exclaimed in amazement: "Holy shit, the ground is spotless—not a single dropping!"

The crow troop sounded the recall and withdrew.

Ling Yue watched this scene, twitching the corner of her mouth.

The crow perched on her shoulder held its head high and chest out; if not for worrying about outsiders present, it would surely have puffed its chest with a resounding boom: "How's that? I, the crow, always do what I say!"

As they were leaving, Long Xinhua—that is, Mrs. Zhao—grasped her hand: "Little sister Yueyue, remember to come play at my place when you have time; I'll have Old Zhao push my WeChat to you, and sis will take you out shopping!"

"My little sister is so naturally beautiful, she can't just be……" Long Xinhua said, pausing, looking at the graceful young lady, unable to utter the words "waste" or "squander," and continued: "Anyway, we can't let it go to waste."

She looked around and said: "Old Zhao, bring over that star-moon earring."

"Our little sister's attire is too plain; this pair of earrings will be my gift to you on our meeting—try them on."

Ling Yue was nearly overwhelmed by her enthusiasm; the earrings' design features lightweight silver star-and-moon motifs, edges set with tiny diamonds and sapphires, exquisite, beautiful, and ethereal.

They were lovely, but Ling Yue glanced at the price: 58,888.

She declined repeatedly, but Long Xinhua said she was looking down on herself, treating it as a sister's meeting gift; compared to her husband, Long Xinhua, raised in a cultured household from youth, could more readily see that Ling Yue possessed an extraordinary bearing.

After they left, she still smiled, telling her husband: "Give the young lady another 200,000."

Zhao Lin was doubtful, but he heard his wife say: "Have you heard that saying? 'How could a gold-scaled fish be a creature of the pond? Once it meets wind and cloud, it becomes a dragon.'"

Based solely on the young lady's steady composure just now—far beyond what ordinary people could match—and given the extraordinary abilities she displayed, it filled her with heartfelt awe.

If the initial theft case could still be blamed on coincidence, what about this? Both times they helped were like sending charcoal in the snow—they've encountered a benefactor!

Ling Yue went out, rubbed the crow's little head, the crow proud enough to lift its tail feathers: "Master, am I not super awesome?"

Ling Yue gave affirmation without hesitation, curled her lips slightly, feeling great. This is a street with enormous foot traffic, many netizens; she believed that wonderful scene just now would soon appear online.

Suddenly, she heard a faint cry for help: "Save me, save me… sob sob sob I'm not a mongrel… I don't want to die…"